Wow thanks! The link didn't work for me (don't know why, it looks like it should) but I so far found "A History of the American People". Would that be a good start?
When I first got it, I just opened it randomly and read about various eras.
For the exact opposite view look at Howard Zinn's "People's History," but be warned--I am no expert on history and although I liked seeing him recognize the PEOPLE who shaped the country, he FREQUENTLY misinterprets and lies. But I'd suggest it if you want to see the left's version of events.
Johnson's other books are such great reading--Intellectuals takes Lillian Helman to task, for example, and Modern Times is about the post-WW1 years up to Clinton. A friend who is deeply interested in history slams Johnson's examinations of Eastern countries, and did so in such a detailed manner that I skipped a lot of those sections, but overall he's a joy to read.
Depending on your interests you would enjoy some of his others.